Have-A-Seat

Have-A-Seat is an interactive art installation addressing the issue of the need for personal space and public territory in public space.
Have-A-Seat is a seemingly normal sofa that deals with the behavioural patterns that arise when people in a public space try to create some personal space around them. Have-A-Seat emphasises these behaviours by enlarging the natural reaction of persons when two strangers sit down next to each other. At the same time the installation gives the users their desired personal space and so raising awareness of this unconscious desire of the users.

Have-A-Seat makes the participant and the viewer aware of the fact that two strangers are almost always looking for a distance between them. The sofa confronts the persons with their unconscious need and fulfills it at the same time. As soon as there are two persons sitting on the sofa the sofa 'breaks' apart and the two seats ride away from each other. As soon as one person leaves the sofa the two seats will come together and again form a seemingly normal sofa.

Have-A-Seat is created by Michiel Stade, Sylvain Vriens and Mika Igarashi.